Ed Reed: NFL starting to be 'a flag football thing'

Nov. 21, 2012
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Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed prepares to tackle Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders in the second half of Sunday night's 13-10 Ravens win. The hit would draw a penalty and lead to an initial suspension, which would be overturned. / Jason Bridge, US Presswire

by Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports

by Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed weighed in on his overturned one-game suspension for repeated flagrant hits, saying that the league's new rules and fines are creating a "flag football thing."

"The rules of the game have changed a whole lot since I got in the league," Reed told the Baltimore Sun. "Over my career, I've never been that guy. I don't plan on being that guy. It's a shame it even came to this point â?¦ being that I've been on the other side of hits that have been illegal toward me. I've got a lot of respect for that organization, the Steelers, and the other 30 teams in the league. I never played the game that way."

Reed was originally suspended one game for his hit on Pittsburgh's Emmanuel Sanders, which would have resulted in a loss of a game check worth $423,529. After taking his case to NFL appeals officer Ted Cottrell on Monday, the suspension was lifted in lieu of a $50,000 fine.

The eight-time All-Pro told the paper he recognizes the need for increased player safety rules but also sees concussions and other injuries as an unavoidable factor of the game.

"If you want to stop it, stop the game," he told the Sun. "Like people say, it's starting to be a flag football thing. I have a flag football tournament. We can make this a big thing if we want. Everybody can come get in my league. It really needs to be discussed for a fine to come down like that so harshly for that hit over my career and for them to go back to 2010 for me scratching [New Orleans Saints quarterback] Drew Brees on the head, even the one that happened in Week Two with [Philadelphia Eagles quarterback] Michael Vick. C'mon man, I'm going for the ball. It's a contact sport. It's a lot that needs to be done with it, man. I'm just glad I can play with my teammates. I'm not happy with the 50 grand, but what can you do?"